A 47-year-old career burglar was sentenced to jail for multiple offences. Due to the severity of his “appalling” criminal record, the judge had to discard sentencing guidelines.

Nicholas Wilcock, of Bethel Place in Connah’s Quay, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, February 27, and received a six-and-a-half-year jail term. This followed his admission to multiple crimes, including three burglaries, four thefts, fraud, and four counts of shoplifting.

According to the North Wales Police report, Wilcock’s raft of offences began in June 2023, when he trespassed on a business storage unit and stole stock. The unit’s unsecured door allowed him to enter, and CCTV footage captured him taking several boxes of expired prescription medication intended for return and incineration.

Then in July and August, Wilcock was involved in four separate shoplifting incidents within five days, amassing items valued at over £500 in total.

Between August and September, Wilcock trespassed and burgled properties on three occasions in the Ewloe and Connah’s Quay vicinity, pilfering items such as power tools, cash, and bank cards valued at over £700. 

On one occasion, he attempted to use the stolen bank cards for fraudulent transactions at a nearby newsagent. He was later apprehended by the police at the shop.

The prosecutors also asked the court to consider two admitted offences—theft of clothing from a shop and theft of £200 from a church donation tin.

“Wilcock is a persistent offender who has caused significant distress in the communities of North Flintshire, with many people being impacted by his actions over the years,” District Inspector Wes Williams said, following the court hearing.

“I am pleased with today’s result and hope this reassures the community that burglary and theft will not be tolerated.”

Inspector Williams said his team would continue thwarting such crimes through the “We Don’t Buy Crime” initiative and community feedback via the community alert system. 

He also pointed out that burglary rates in the area remain low. According to UK Crime Stats, there were 140 burglaries in December 2023, marking a decrease compared to the figures from the preceding four months.

Other cases

Despite the low burglary rates, residents and business owners in the area are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police or anonymously through Crimestoppers. 

This call is essential as recently burglars struck an Asda store, prompting staff to raise the alarm upon discovering the incident on Monday morning. North Wales Police responded to the incident at the store on Holt Road in Wrexham and are currently conducting an investigation, appealing for witnesses to come forward. The items stolen during the raid are not known.

“Anyone who witnessed or heard anything suspicious in the area overnight is asked to contact us via our website or by calling 101, quoting reference Q027457,” a spokesperson for the force said.

North Wales Police also launched an investigation in early February regarding two burglaries in the Church Street area of Flint. The thieves made off with over £6,000 worth of tools, including a variety of Makita, DeWalt, and several plastering tools from two properties.

Staying safe

North Wales residents and business owners can implement several security measures to prevent break-ins and burglaries at their properties. These include ensuring that all doors and windows are securely locked, installing security cameras and alarm systems, and maintaining good lighting around their properties. 

It is also recommended for businesses, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) to hire security firms like Marengo. These firms can implement tailored security protocols, develop prompt response strategies, and coordinate with emergency services as needed. They can also deploy security personnel to patrol the area around the clock, ensuring enhanced protection and peace of mind.